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Former rivals highlight need for ping pong Beckham

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-09 20:34

BEIJING - Former rivals Liu Guoliang and Jorgen Persson have sounded an alarm about waning interest in table tennis among the young and highlighted the need for high profile stars in the mould of soccer's David Beckham.

Former Olympic and world champion Liu said China's "national sport" retained its popularity among the old but was being played by fewer and fewer in the younger generations.

"We should seek different ways to promote the sport at the grassroots level," the Chinese men's head coach told Wednesday's China Daily.

"I know stars play a big role in the promotion of the game and they could draw great attention. It could help attract more people to pick up a paddle."

Swedish former world champion Jorgen Persson shared the same concerns as Liu, his vanquisher in the bronze medal match at the 2000 Olympics.

"We need more promotion for the sport and the key is a star, we need Beckhams in table tennis," the 46-year-old told the paper.

"That would be of great interest to the youngsters. There is fierce competition between different sports out there. Kids are going for soccer and basketball, that's the reality in Europe, I think also in China."

In a sport that was regarded as the embodiment of China's national spirit during the hard times of the 1960s and 1970s, however, the move to celebrity status must respect the conservative tradition, Liu cautioned.

"I think we are changing and it is the trend but it also can't go too far," the 33-year-old said.

"We can't overuse the star effect. China's table tennis team has a tradition of collectivism and team spirit, we have never advocated individualism and we will not in the future."